A couple of muscle injuries spoiled what would have been the marquee attraction of the South American World Cup qualifying doubleheader for 2026: the Argentina-Brazil classic next Tuesday in Buenos Aires. The last time they met, in November 2023, La Albiceleste won 1-0 at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium.
“We will feel his absence. We’ll try to give our best, but there’s no doubt it’s a big loss,” said Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, alluding to Neymar.
Brazil’s all-time top scorer returned to Brazilian football, signing with his beloved Santos in January after a year and a half out due to a knee ligament injury. But he hasn’t played since March 2 because of an apparent muscular discomfort.
Messi, for his part, strained the adductor muscle of his left thigh in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday.
The absence of the two stars does not diminish the appeal of their teams. Both head into rounds 12 and 13 of the 18-match window with players in superb form.
Such is the case for Argentina’s forwards Julián Álvarez (23 goals in his first season with Atlético Madrid) and Lautaro Martínez (18 with Inter Milan). Brazil features Raphinha (the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals for Barcelona), plus Bruno Guimarães (the newly crowned English League Cup champion with Newcastle), as well as Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo (Real Madrid’s scorers).
After a four-month break, the qualifiers resume this Thursday with Brazil at home against Colombia in the federal capital of Brasília, along with Bolivia visiting Peru and Chile visiting Paraguay.
Argentina leads the standings with 25 points, followed by Uruguay (20), Ecuador and Colombia (both with 19), Brazil (18), Paraguay (17), Bolivia (13), Venezuela (12), Chile (9) and Peru (7) with six matches left to close the World Cup qualifying that will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The top six qualify directly, while the seventh will play a playoff against a team from another confederation.
March Schedule for the South American World Cup Qualifiers 2026
- Thursday, March 20: Paraguay vs Chile
- Thursday, March 20: Brazil vs Colombia
- Thursday, March 20: Peru vs Bolivia
- Friday, March 21: Ecuador vs Venezuela
- Friday, March 21: Uruguay vs Argentina
- Tuesday, March 25: Bolivia vs Uruguay
- Tuesday, March 25: Venezuela vs Peru
- Tuesday, March 25: Colombia vs Paraguay
- Tuesday, March 25: Argentina vs Brazil
- Tuesday, March 25: Chile vs Ecuador
March 2025 FIFA dates: World Cup qualifiers, friendlies and where to watch live on TV and streaming
A Look at the Most Relevant Updates from the South American Teams.
Argentina on the verge
Argentina, the solo leader of the qualifiers, had tagged the March doubleheader as the perfect opportunity to test itself against the other two continental powers and, in the process, seal qualification, according to a mix of results.
Injuries to captain Messi and to Paulo Dybala, their potential replacement, disrupted those plans.
These absences, however, opened the door for the two sharp forwards Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, both in superb form, to share the attack against Uruguay in Montevideo and Brazil in Buenos Aires.
But the “Toro” reported muscle fatigue in the first practice and was ruled out for the two matches.
The world champions have a long list of players who must avoid yellow cards against the Celeste to avoid missing the clash with the five-time champions; among them Martínez himself, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás Otamendi and Leandro Paredes.
Where is Brazil headed?
The Seleção could secure a spot in the next World Cup or slip to seventh place. And that would put pressure on coach Dorival Júnior, who could lose his job before the tournament.
Neymar’s absence led Dorival to test Savinho upfront alongside Rodrygo and Vinícius, with Raphinha behind them. The coach has hinted that this would be the most likely lineup against Colombia on Thursday at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha Stadium.
If Savinho doesn’t click, Júnior could move Raphinha to the front line or try teenage Estevão, one of Brazil’s brightest young prospects.
Colombia wants to return to winning ways
Until the final of the Copa América, which they lost to Argentina, Colombia had a record 28-game unbeaten streak. But Néstor Lorenzo’s team ended 2024 with defeats to Uruguay and Ecuador.
Yet they remain well placed in the standings, one point ahead of Brazil and two above Paraguay, their next foe on Tuesday in Barranquilla.
“We have confidence in the group and in the team from the Copa América that impressed so much and achieved results by playing well,” Lorenzo said. “That’s our ideal, as well as continued growth.”
Colombia will count on James Rodríguez, now with more minutes after joining León in Mexico, and they regain midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who missed the last double date due to injury. In attack, Rafael Santos Borré will cover the position of Jhon Durán, suspended for the clash with Brazil, and will accompany Luis Díaz.
The Repechage Card
As the qualifiers approach the final stretch, the reality is that the six direct spots seem to have clear favorites, leaving Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile and even Peru, at the bottom, hoping to slip in via the playoff.
The match in Lima will mark Óscar Ibáñez’s debut as Peru’s new coach after Jorge Fossati’s dismissal. The Argentine-Peruvian will look to revive a team that has lost seven of 12 matches and has scored only three, the fewest among the teams.
“This is a direct rival. We play at home and we need the three points,” said Peru’s all-time scorer Paolo Guerrero about the Bolivia clash.
The same tone was echoed by Ricardo Gareca, the Argentine who previously coached Peru and is now in charge of Chile: “As long as Chile is given the numbers, mathematically we have to fight to the last consequences,” he stated.
